1 John 1:1–4 - Fellowship with the Uncreated Lord

1 John 1:1–4 “What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have observed and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—that life was revealed, and we have seen it and we testify and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us—what we have seen and heard we also declare to you, so that you may also have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.”

Introduction

Good morning, dear family! It is wonderful to be gathered with you this morning as we we embark on a 14-week journey through the profound epistle of 1 John. In this rich text, the Apostle John invites us into a deeper understanding of Christ and the implications of His incarnation for our lives. This morning’s passage lays the foundation for our study, establishing who Jesus is and why this truth transforms our fellowship, our faith, and our joy.

Let us approach this sacred text with hearts open to the Word of Life, mindful that these are not abstract theological musings but a testimony born of direct encounter with the Living God.

The Uncreated Lord

From the very outset of this epistle, John proclaims a truth central to our faith: Jesus Christ, the Word of Life, is uncreated and eternal. John declares, “What was from the beginning,” echoing the profound opening of his Gospel: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). This repetition is likely not a stylistic choice but a deliberate affirmation of Christ's co-equality and co-eternality with the Father.

John reaffirms this truth in verse 2, describing Jesus as “the eternal life that was with the Father.” Here we find an essential Trinitarian doctrine: the Son is of one essence with the Father, as affirmed in the Nicene Creed: "Begotten of the Father before all ages, Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten, not made, of one essence with the Father."

This declaration counters heresies like Arianism, which denied Christ's divinity, and other modern denials of His eternal nature found in groups such as Jehovah’s Witnesses and Unitarians. These erroneous views reduce Jesus to a mere creature, undermining the very foundation of our salvation.

The Biblical Witness to Christ’s Eternity

John’s assertion of Jesus’ uncreated nature is richly supported by Scripture:

John 1:1–3: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created.”

This text reveals Christ’s pre-existence and role in creation, establishing that nothing came into being without Him.

Colossians 1:15–17: “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For everything was created by him… He is before all things, and by him all things hold together.”

Here, “firstborn” denotes Christ’s preeminence and supremacy, not that He is a created being.

Hebrews 1:2–3: “In these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son. God has appointed him heir of all things and made the universe through him. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact expression of his nature, sustaining all things by his powerful word.”

This passage highlights Christ’s divine nature and role as Creator and Sustainer of all that exists.

These verses leave no doubt: Jesus Christ is eternal, uncreated, and divine. He is not a secondary god or a temporal creation but the co-eternal Son, one with the Father.

Why This Matters

Why is this truth so vital? The eternal nature of Christ assures us that our salvation rests not on the work of a finite being but on the eternal, unchanging God Himself. John emphasizes that the apostles did not encounter a vision, a mere idea, or an abstract force. They encountered the Living God in the flesh. He declares: "We have heard… we have seen with our eyes… we have observed and touched with our hands."

This physical reality of the incarnation is crucial for our faith. It affirms that our salvation is rooted in history, in the real and tangible coming of God into our world. The apostles heard His voice, saw His miracles, touched His wounds, and witnessed His resurrection. Their testimony is not speculative but grounded in direct, lived experience.

Moreover, the fact that Christ is uncreated and eternal means that He is fully capable of accomplishing our redemption. Only the eternal God could bear the infinite weight of sin and conquer death on our behalf. As St. Athanasius eloquently wrote in On the Incarnation: "He became what we are, that He might make us what He is."

Fellowship with God

John’s ultimate aim in proclaiming this truth is not merely intellectual but deeply relational. He writes, “What we have seen and heard we also declare to you, so that you may also have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ.”

This fellowship is the heart of the Christian life. Through Christ, we are brought into communion with the eternal Trinity. This is not a distant or abstract relationship but an intimate sharing in the very life of God. As St. Symeon the New Theologian reminds us: "God became man so that man might become god." (See verses such as 2 Peter 1:4, Psalm 82:6)

This divine fellowship brings profound joy. John writes, “We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.” True joy flows from knowing and abiding in the eternal Word of Life, who is both our Savior and our constant companion.

Conclusion

Beloved, as we marvel at the eternal Word of Life, let us remember that this truth calls us to action. To know Christ is to obey Him, and to walk in fellowship with Him is to pursue righteousness. Let us commit ourselves anew to His commands, living lives that reflect His holiness. Obedience is not a burden but a joy, for it draws us closer to the heart of God and conforms us to the image of His Son.

This obedience must be expressed in love—for God and for one another. Let us love our neighbors in tangible ways, forgiving as we have been forgiven, serving as Christ served, and seeking peace where there is division. In doing so, we fulfill His greatest commandments and shine as His light in the world. May we leave here today not only knowing this truth but living it, so that our joy may be complete. Amen.